Malik begins hunger strike in Srinagar

Pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik on Tuesday began an indefinite fast in Srinagar against alleged harassment of Muslims in parts of Jammu and "economic blockade against the Kashmir Valley".

Malik began his fast near the JKLF headquarters at Maisuma where a 22-year-old protester died on Monday when a tear smoke shell fired by the police hit him in the chest.

The JKLF chairman on Monday said he was concerned over the continuing violence in Jammu and alleged that the "administration was hand in glove with extremist elements".

As Malik began his fast, parts of the summer capital of the state witnessed violent protests against the killing of the youth.

the police fired scores of tear smoke shells and resorted to repeated baton charges to quell violence in Maisuma, city centre Lal Chowk, Bohri Kadal, Hawal, Khanayar and Munwarabad in the old city.

Shouting anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and pro-freedom slogans, Kashmir's bar association took out a procession in Srinagar on Tuesday afternoon.

Groups of youths also took out processions in parts of the uptown and old city areas.

Shops remained closed in most parts of Srinagar where police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength.

A report from south Kashmir Pulwama town said groups of stone pelting youths forced closure of shops and traffic in the town this morning.